Cristiano Ronaldo headed Portugal closer to the World Cup as they beat Sweden 1-0 in their play-off first leg in Lisbon.
Ronaldo met a Miguel Veloso cross with a diving header past Andreas Isaksson with eight minutes remaining, before hitting the crossbar with a second header shortly afterwards. The Real Madrid star edged his personal battle against Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic, though in truth neither player lived up to their stellar billing.In fact Ronaldo looked more likely to be sent off than score, and he cut a frustrated figure for most of the 90 minutes. He was booked for an overzealous challenge on Isaksson and could have seen a second yellow for his furious protests.
The first half started very brightly, with Joao Moutinho rounding Andreas Isaksson before hitting the ball into the side netting. A minute later and Johan Elmander could have given Sweden the lead, poking the ball wide on the volley when a firmer connection would surely have ended in a goal.
However, after the initial spark, the first half became an exercise in effective frustration by the Swedes. Ronaldo and Nani were largely nullified as Portugal racked up numerous corners without ever effectively testing out Isaksson. In fact, it was the Swedes that went close before the break, a Kallstrom free kick inches wide and Rui Patricio forced to palm away a Larsson drive.
Sweden finally suffered some panic at the start of the second half when a Bruno Alves cross caused panic in the box before Ronaldo fired over. However, from that moment on Ibrahimovic appeared to be left deliberately isolated as Erik Hamren looked to hold on for a draw to take back home.
Portugal did have the occasional half chance thereafter, Helder Postiga heading over and Nani having a shot saved at the near post but the Swedish defenders kept them out manfully until the late goal. All still to play for in Stockholm.
KEY MOMENTS
5' First big chance - Meireles finds Moutinho, who rounds Isaksson. The midfielder is taken wide however, and can only hit the side netting.
6' What a Chance for Sweden - Straight down the other end, Lustig crosses and Elmander can only poke wide. A firm connection would surely have given him a goal.
22' Close - Kallstrom takes the free kick, and his left foot curler goes inches wide of the left hand post.
50' Huge scramble - Sweden cannot clear after a Bruno Alves cross, and two or three shots are blocked with Isaksson in no man's land.
82' GOAL!!! AND RONALDO SCORES - A cross from the left finds the forward who bundles home a diving header. Wonderful ball in from Veloso.
85' Off the bar - It's an easier header than the one he scores, but Ronaldo heads it against the bar with Isaksson stranded.
KEY STATS
This was the first time that Portugal had beaten Sweden in their eighth home game against the opposition.
Anders Svensson came on as a substitute for Sweden to make his 147th appearance for his country.
TALKING POINT
Was that the danger of giving such an occasion the huge pre-game billing? Should we have learned that the first leg of such knockout ties are often incredibly tight affairs between well-matched sides? Sweden came with a plan to take a draw back to Stockholm, but does that late goal hand the advantage to their opponents? An away goal for Portugal on Tuesday would surely see them through?
MATCHCAST: FULL COMMENTARY AND STATS
MAN OF THE MATCH
Joao Pereira (Portugal) – The defender did blot his copybook with a booking, but despite operating at right-back the Valencia defender was his country's most obvious attacking threat, his crosses and pace from the right hand side far more evident than that shown by compatriot Nani.
PLAYER RATINGS
Portugal: Patricio 6, J Pereira 8, Alves 6, Pepe 6, Coentrao 7, Veloso 7, Moutinho 6, Meireles 8, Nani 6, Ronaldo 7, Postiga 6. Subs: Almeida 7, Josue 7
Sweden: Isaksson 7, Lustig 7, Nilsson 7, Antonsson 7, Martin Olsson 6, Larsson 6, Elm 6, Kallstrom 7, Kacaniklic 6, Elmander 7, Ibrahimovic 6. Subs: Svensson 6, Gerndt 6, Wernbloom 6
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